Village Underground

You'll find a string of old London Underground carriages sitting incongruously in the middle of Shoreditch, converted into bars, restaurants and event spaces. It's properly odd - in the best way. The whole thing grew out of an artist's pop-up project in 2012 and somehow managed to stick around.

The carriages themselves are the real draw. Each one's been gutted and reimagined with its own vibe - one's a cocktail bar, another serves food, some host live music or club nights. It's cramped, you'll knock your head on something, but that's rather the point. The novelty wears off after an hour or so if you're just wandering about, but if you're here to eat, drink or catch an event, you'll find the setting genuinely memorable.

This works best for adults after work or late evening, or younger groups after dark when the place gets properly buzzing. Families with small kids might find it underwhelming - there's not much to do for free and the interiors aren't designed for browsing. Most events and meals cost money, though you can absolutely just walk around the exterior and take photos without paying.

It's a quick visit from anywhere central London - ten minutes on the Overground, basically. If you're staying at Lovat Parks and venturing into the city for the day, it's worth a quick detour, though don't build your day around it. Go in the evening when the bars open and you'll understand what all the fuss was about.